Bassekou Kouyaté

Bassekou Kouyate (born 1966) is a musician from Mali. His band is known as Ngoni ba. He was born into the Kouyate family in Garana, Barouéli Cercle, 60 kilometres from Ségou, in 1966. At the age of 12, he started playing the ngoni. Quotes Music is a big school and every day you hear something you haven’t before so it’s very important to play with other people from all different cultures. The Guardian, 11 June 2015. Being a griot is like being a mayor. People come and ask for help, and as a griot it is your duty to help them. 2024 interview with NYSMusic. Griots are the guardians of tradition in Bamana society in Mali. I am very proud to carry on that tradition. The Guardian, 11 June 2015. Music should be one thing and politics another. The Guardian, 11 June 2015. I was the one who took the ngoni to an international level, using all this distortion, delay and wah-wah pedal sound effects, to make it modern and international, so that it would reach a younger generation. The Irish Times, 24 July 2024. External links Category:Musicians from Mali Category:1966 births Category:Living people